🎙Teacher Spotlight- 1/2 Grade
Meet Gaile Prater! Mrs. Prater is beginning her 13th year teaching and her third year at Shaw Elementary! She graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 2005 and since has received an ESL Endorsement from Henderson State University and a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Arkansas State University. She has taught 3rd, 2nd, and 1st grade in that order! She has a passion for learning best practices to meet individual student needs. She identifies herself as a life-long learner who enjoys the challenge of learning new ways to ensure student success. She also believes the foundation to success in the classroom is developing relationships built on love and respect. Her goal in her classroom is to provide an environment where every student feels safe, loved, and accepted while also keeping high expectations of learning across the curriculum. She lives in Springdale with her husband, Patrick, and daughter, Phoenix, who is going into 1st grade at Shaw! In her spare time she enjoys traveling (especially to the beach!), reading, exercising, Netflix, and spending time with her family and friends. “I’m looking forward to a wonderful year of learning and growth, mixed with a lot of fun!”
🎙 Teacher Spotlight- 1st Grade
Meet Amanda Marshall! Mrs. Marshall grew up in Farmington, Arkansas and attended the University of Arkansas. She has taught both Kindergarten and 1st grade and this will be her 8th year teaching! Mrs. Marshall loves spending time with her family! She enjoys going to the movies, crafting, and shopping! The most important thing in the classroom for her is getting to know her students individually and loving all of their unique qualities! “I am just so excited to meet all of my new friends! It’s going to be the BEST year yet!”
🎙 Teacher Spotlight- 2nd Grade
Meet Kristen Queen. Mrs. Queen was born and raised in South Brunswick, New Jersey, but pursued her teaching degree down south in Searcy, Arkansas and graduated with a Master’s degree from Harding University. This will be her 13th year of teaching- 2 years at Harding Academy in Searcy, AR and starting her 11th year at Shaw! When she’s not teaching you can find her spending time with her husband and chasing after her 4 children- Brielle, Madelyn, Kellan, and Jett. She also enjoys coffee, board games, exercising, scrapbooking/journaling and a good book! Mrs. Queen cherishes every child exactly where they are and loves celebrating every accomplishment- big or small! “I can’t wait to meet my new ‘royal’ 2nd graders and embark on this journey together in the Queen’s castle!”
Teacher Spotlight- 2nd Grade
Meet Shannon Borland. Mrs. Borland grew up in Springdale and attended Lee Elementary, Southwest Jr. High, and graduated from Springdale High School. She received her Master’s Degree from the University of Arkansas. This will be her 17th year to teach in Springdale and her 11th year at Shaw. She taught at Shaw for 9 years before moving to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After living up north for 2 years, she returned home and found herself back at the best school ever. “There’s no place like home, and there’s no place like Shaw!” When Mrs. Borland isn’t in the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her husband, four daughters, and new grand-daughter, Caroline. She also loves watching her girls on the soccer field, traveling, football, playing games, coffee, the Razorbacks, and hanging out with friends. “I am looking forward to meeting my new students and beginning our second grade adventure.”
Teacher Spotlight- 2nd Grade
Meet Jamie Smithpeters! Mrs. Smithpeters grew up in Springdale and attended Westwood Elementary, Southwest JH, & Springdale High school. She received her teaching degree from the University of Arkansas. She and her husband Brian have two kids, Hunter and Raeghan. This is Mrs. Smithpeters’ 13th year at Shaw! She taught 4th grade for 2 yrs and is beginning her 10th year in 2nd grade, which she considers her “sweet spot”. “My moto is that the kids in my class don’t care what I know, until they know I care. Therefore, building relationships with my students and their families is a priority, before I can teach them.” In her free time, she loves traveling, spending time with her family, binge watching Netflix, and reading. “I can’t wait to start another exciting year! There is so much to learn and fun to have while doing it!”
Teacher Spotlight- 2nd Grade
Meet Kerry Boles! Ms. Boles graduated from the University of Arkansas and this begins her 16th year of teaching. She has taught 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade and has loved them all! Ms. Boles loves forming lifelong relationships with her students and their families. She recognizes the importance of celebrating the uniqueness of each student. Her #1 goal is to make sure every student feels safe and loved in her classroom. Ms. Boles has a 3 year old daughter, Nellie, who will be attending Pre-k this year! In her spare time, Ms. Boles loves reading, traveling, shopping, and going to the movies. “I am so excited to meet my new students! It’s going to be a great year!”
Teacher Spotlight- 3rd Grade
Meet Madison Cunningham. Miss Cunningham is originally from Rogers, Arkansas. She graduated with her Masters from from the University of Arkansas in 2017. This will be her 3rd year teaching at Shaw, but she is looking forward to new adventures as she moves from 4th to 3rd grade! Miss Cunningham is passionate about engaging students in learning and cheering them on to reach their full potential! In Miss Cunningham's free time, she likes to be with friends and family, spend time outside, travel (she just returned from Italy!), exercise, and read. She also worked at Camp War Eagle for 7 years and is a true camp counselor at heart! "I am so excited to begin this year with my new 3rd grade friends!"
School supply lists can be downloaded at http://springdalear.apptegy.us/o/springdale-public-schools/page/school-supplies--29
Be looking for information to come home soon about our Summer Library! It is going to be GREAT!
